Moving to Virginia as a residential contractor: every state's rule

1. 1Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Virginia Residential Building (RBC) technical examination for the qualified individual, given by PSI after the Board pre-approves the application and Experience Verification Form..
2. 2Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($85). $85 per specialty examination, paid directly to PSI. The fee cannot be refunded or transferred and is valid for one year from payment..
3. 3Pre-license course. Complete the required pre-license course. Eight-hour Board-approved pre-license course in basic business, regulations and statutes, completed by a member of the firm's responsible management (for Class A or Class B, the designated employee may take it instead). A Board-approved advanced contractor class also counts. Providers set their own prices, and some offer the course online. Attach the completion certificate to the application..
4. 4Application fee. Pay the application fee ($274.50). Class C initial license fee on the current application form. It includes the $235 license fee, the $25 Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund assessment and the DPOR technology fee of $7.25 per year. Class B is $419.50 and Class A $439.50. Fees are not refundable..
5. 5Law / code exam. Pass a law, rules, or code exam (if applicable). Class A and Class B only: the firm's designated employee passes the PSI contractor business examination, covering the General and Virginia portions for Class B and the Advanced, General and Virginia portions for Class A. PSI charges $40 for one portion, $72 for two and $85 for three..
6. 6Financial responsibility. Show financial responsibility of at least $15,000 (if applicable). Class B and Class A only: at least $15,000 (Class B) or $45,000 (Class A) of net worth or equity, shown on the Board's Financial Statement Form with supporting documents, a CPA-reviewed financial statement or a CPA audit. Class C has no financial requirement..
7. 7Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($50,000) (if applicable). Class B and Class A only: a $50,000 surety bond on the Board's Surety Bond Form may be filed instead of the net worth documentation..
8. 8Business license. Obtain a business license. The business must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, including businesses formed in another state, and any assumed or fictitious name must be registered. The firm must also meet the business license requirements of every county, city and town where it works..
9. 9Background check. Complete a background check (if applicable). Only if the firm, its qualified individual or anyone in responsible management has a felony conviction or a non-marijuana misdemeanor conviction in the last three years: an original criminal history record dated within 90 days from each jurisdiction where the conviction occurred, filed with the Criminal Conviction Reporting Form..

Published fees on this path total $359.50, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.